Monsignor Francis Marriott OAM

18 January 1938 – 23 November 2025

After a lifetime of service to the Diocese of Sandhurst, Monsignor Frank Marriott died peacefully on Sunday 23 November 2025, surrounded by his family and members of the Sandhurst clergy.

Frank Marriott was born in Bendigo on 18 January 1938 to Frank and Rita (nee Kelly) Marriott. His father, who originally came from Shepparton, was a baker and a pastry cook. His mother was from a farming family near Narrandera in NSW.

In 1942, Frank joined the prep class at St Mary’s College, Bendigo. Among his classmates in the junior school were Mary Duffy and Peter Jeffrey (later to become Sr Mary Duffy and Monsignor Peter Jeffrey, respectively). Frank’s younger sister Ruth also followed to St Mary’s a few years later. From Grade 4, Frank attended the Marist Brothers’ College in McCrae Street until the family moved to Elmore in 1947. After two years at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Elmore, he completed his final secondary schooling at Assumption College, Kilmore.

In 1955 Frank decided to enter the seminary, beginning his studies at St Francis Xavier in Adelaide in 1956. He was ordained by Bishop Stewart at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on a cold, wet day on 29 June 1962, the same church where he had been baptised.

Monsignor Frank served in thirteen parishes of the Sandhurst Diocese, with his first appointment to Cobram, followed by Rushworth, then Beechworth, Shepparton, Heathcote, Nagambie, Kennington and finally to Wodonga. Monsignor Marriott returned to Bendigo from Wodonga at the request of Bishop Joe Grech after the death of Monsignor John Duffus in 2008.

Monsignor’s early career was focused on a commitment to building community, with strong support for the Young Christian Workers organisation, marriage support groups, and he served as Chair of the National Council of Priests between 1976 and 1982.

As Parish Priest, he took a keen interest in the local primary schools, and he appointed the Diocese’s first lay principal in Heathcote in the 1970s, in order to save Holy Rosary Primary School, leading to the establishment of the Lay School Board. His connection to Heathcote remained strong, with Monsignor Frank being instrumental in rallying local residents to oppose a toxic liquid-waste dump at Dargile.

Throughout his career, Monsignor Frank travelled extensively, with his first visit to Asia in 1972.

After the death of Bishop Joe in 2010 and before Bishop Les Tomlinson was appointed, Monsignor Frank was appointed Diocesan Administrator, and as the acting Bishop of Sandhurst, he became the only alumnus to serve as a Governor of our College.

In 2012, Bishop Les Tomlinson appointed Monsignor Frank Vicar General of the Diocese. During this time, he served as Director of the Sandhurst Youth Ministry Team and as a member of the College of Consultors.

His service was recognised with a rare papal honour when he was bestowed the highest rank for a Monsignor: Protonotary Apostolic by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.

He also celebrated his Golden Jubilee in June 2012. At that time, he held the official title of Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Sandhurst and administrator of the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

In 2014, in response to the growing agitation surrounding the anti-mosque movement in Bendigo, Monsignor Frank co-founded the Bendigo Interfaith Council to foster respect and understanding between diverse faiths. He encouraged cooperation between members of the religions represented in Bendigo, including Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh faiths.

Co-founder of the Interfaith Council, Heri Febriyanto, paid tribute to Monsignor Frank: ’His tireless work as the founding Chair of Bendigo Interfaith Council and his dedication to interfaith action have made a lasting impact on our community.’

Monsignor Frank celebrated his last Sunday Mass as Administrator of the Sacred Heart Cathedral on 18 January 2015 – his 77th birthday. Earlier in January, the parishes of the Cathedral, St Joseph’s Quarry Hill, St Mary’s Golden Square and St Monica’s Kangaroo Flat hosted a farewell at the Catholic Education Office.

Still busy in retirement, Monsignor Frank continued his ministry, visiting prisons, advocating for the Sandhurst Priests’ Retirement Foundation, other faith-based boards, and remaining in contact with activities at Catherine McAuley College. He was active on the Board of the Aspire Cultural and Charitable Foundation, which was set up to oversee the development of the Cathedral precinct.

In 2022, his lifetime of service to the Catholic Church was recognised when he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Monsignor Frank’s health declined as he battled prostate cancer, and on Sunday 23 November 2025, on the Feast of Christ the King and in the 63rd year of his religious profession, Monsignor Frank Marriott entered his eternal life.

The Diocese of Sandhurst stated: ‘Many will remember Monsignor Marriott for his sharp mind, his love of history, his deep curiosity and his unmistakable sense of humour. Monsignor Frank Marriott was, in every sense, a man for all – a steadfast priest, a principled community advocate, and a generous presence in the lives of thousands across central Victoria. He will be profoundly missed.’

Monsignor Frank was a loved and respected member of the Catherine McAuley College Bendigo community. He was generous with his time and support, regularly celebrating Masses with us and visiting to talk with students and staff. He was a great mentor and friend to countless people across the Diocese, both Catholic and non-Catholic.

Fr Brian Boyle, Administrator of the Diocese said: ‘He was a proud and vocal supporter of the Collingwood football club, and an enthusiastic participant in social activities with his brother priests. Monsignor Frank gave his whole life in faithful service to Christ and his church. We pray that he is currently being welcomed into the arms of the Father with the words “Well done, good and faithful servant”. A giant of our Diocese has passed.’

• A Pontifical Concelebrated Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 80 Wattle Street, Bendigo on Wednesday 3 December at 1 pm. The Principal celebrant will be Archbishop Shane Mackinlay, at Monsignor Frank’s request.
• Following the funeral, Monsignor Frank will be interred at Bendigo Monumental Cemetery, 70 Carpenter Street, Quarry Hill.
• A Vigil Mass will be held at St Kilian’s Church, 161 McCrae Street Bendigo, at 7 pm on Tuesday 2 December, 2025.